As the Indianapolis Colts prepare for free agency and the 2020 NFL draft, there are several decisions to make for general manager Chris Ballard. Every offseason usually involves at least one surprise cut candidate. Could that be quarterback Jacoby Brissett?
It is no secret that the Colts need to find a better long-term solution at the quarterback position. Brissett is in the final year of his contract and while he is still the starter, that could all change on a dime.
With the offseason quickly getting underway, NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal listed Brissett as a potential surprise cut candidate.
2) Jacoby Brissett, QB, Indianapolis Colts: The Colts’ tone around Brissett was markedly different in January than it was in August. After having complete confidence in him before the season, GM Chris Ballard said “the jury’s still out” on Brissett after a streaky 2019 campaign. If the Colts snap up Philip Rivers in free agency, I’m not convinced that Brissett’s contract is that tradable in a crowded market.
Changing course would be a costly move for Ballard. Brissett has a guaranteed $7 million bonus due, and releasing him would cost $12.5 million in dead money, although the Colts have enough space to cut their losses if they go Full Rivers.
Even though the NFL is always unpredictable and truly anything can happen, it is highly unlikely the Colts go into the 2020 season without Brissett on the roster. The Colts aren’t going to cut Brissett because they value him so high even if his role is as a backup.
If the Colts cut Brissett before June 1, they would have $12.5 million in dead cap while saving $8.875 million. If Brissett were somehow traded before June 1, the Colts would have a dead cap of $5.5 million while saving $15.875 million, per Spotrac.
Because the CBA is expiring after the 2020 season, there is no designation for post June 1 cuts like there has been in recent seasons.
Brissett isn’t going to be cut. Ballard won’t let that happen for fear of losing the locker room. Even with Brissett carrying a cap hit of $21.375 million in 2020, the Colts aren’t strapped for cash. They actually may be forced to spend some of that money in free agency this offseason.
The Colts could very well add a quarterback in the draft, but it would come as a major surprise if Brissett isn’t on the roster in some capacity for the 2020 season.